2013 Santa Cruz Blur TR: Same Awesome Trail Bike, Now More Affordable

Today the embargo on the newest iteration of one of our favorite trail bikes has been lifted with the release of this introductory video by Santa Cruz Bicycles. The Blur TRc has been our favorite trail bike to date since we threw a leg over it, and is now available in a more wallet-friendly alloy version to compliment the flagship carbon machine. Like its more expensive sibling, the TR features a 142mm rear axle, (the first 142 axle we’ve seen on an alloy SC bike to date) low bottom bracket, relaxed angles designed to shred, and stiff chassis. (to track when said shredding occurs) To celebrate its release, Santa Cruz released a sweet trail riding edit that plain rips, showing exactly what the bike is capable of in the hands of the right pilot.

We came across our buddy Matt riding one of the first production models last weekend, and were all over it like dirt jumpers and a six pack. Like the original TRc, there are two bottle cage mounts, as the bike is designed for uphill riding as well as down, but they’ve added an internal cable routing for Reverb Stealth seat adjustable height posts.

Tapered headtube

142mm rear end with clearance for high volume tires

The frame lists for $1925 with a Fox Float CTD rear shock (over $700 less than the carbon model) but it comes with a bit of a weight penalty of nearly 2lbs. (the TR is listed with a weight of 6.73lbs, making it heavier than the LT model) Still, with completes pricing in at a very reasonable $3099, it means more riders can get in on the fun. We find the angles and the ride qualities of the TR/ TRc to be the ideal trail bike for aggressive trail riders in the Bay Area, and definitely the most fun bike we’ve played on to date.

Matt D.’s Blur TR in red.

Like the TRc, sizing remains a conundrum though, so try before you buy. At 5’10, I find myself to be right in the middle of recommended sizes in the SC sizing chart. Although the medium is listed with a 23″ top tube length, we’ve found it to be almost a 1/4″ inch shorter in reach compared to the medium Specialized Stumpjumper Evo. If you’re typically a medium and love to run short stems (and if you are looking at this bike, this is you) it’s worth trying a large frame built with your preferred cockpit. I currently run my medium TRc with a 70mm stem for all around trail riding, but in hindsight would prefer a large frame with a 50mm stem. (WTF? I’m always a medium) The problem is dropper post compatibly and stand over height on the large: the guys at Santa Cruz must have some long legs, because running a large frame would likely require me to run a 4″ dropper post as opposed to a 5″ (preferred). And if I can’t drop my post all the way to dirt jump height on a trail riding, what’s the point?)

i have had my TRC for over a year and am continually ah-mazed at its capabilities. It has changed the way I ride a bike and makes shredding Marin trails extra fun. I dig that they internally routed the dropper post cables and the 142 rear axle. Part of what makes the Trc so rad is its weight, thats a bit of a bummer its 2lbs heavier. Thanks for posting. See you on the trails. – Chris

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Whether you express yourself via the type of riding you do, your riding style, or how you dress for the ride, we see the choice to ride a bicycle as the ultimate in self expression. We're obsessed with riding bikes and love everything about it: the sweet gear, rad trails, and the friendships we've made upon two wheels. More